Introduction:

    When we talk about the ‘Good Stuff’ about being a Christian, we are not talking about what we think of ourselves. We are not even talking about what we have experienced as a Christian, regardless of how long you have been a Christian.

Q: Why? Why does our perspective and experiences not give us a proper
     understanding of the ‘good stuff’ about being a Christian?

 What we are talking about are the truths that have been revealed to us in God’s Word through our faith in Jesus Christ. It is because of our relationship with Jesus Christ that we can be assured that we are who God says we are in His Word. It is our relationship with Jesus Christ that makes these truths a reality for us.

 That’s why this is a class titled ‘The Good Stuff’about being a Christian.’ The truth is, apart from a relationship with Christ through faith, none of what we talk about will really matter. It won’t apply. Which is why we are going to look this morning at the following.

As a Christian I am…
 Redeemed, Saved, Justified, Forgiven, No Longer Condemned and At Peace with God.

 But before we get there, I want to briefly review our first class because that foundation is essential to understanding everything else we do.

 Last week I stated that each one of us acts on the basis of how we perceive ourselves. Our opinion of who we are dictates our behavior: how we make choices, deal with crises, problems, live in relationship with others…It dictates our behavior all the time.
 

If we have anything but a correct self image, we live a life that was never ours to live. It is only when we have a correct self image that we can live the life God intended for us to live.

The ‘I am’s’ we all read last week is who we are and if we see ourselves as God sees us, then we will live the life He intended for us to live. And when we see ourselves as God sees us, that too will dictate our attitudes, decisions, actions and behaviors.

But, the reality is many Christians have an incorrect self image as a Christian.

Q: What do I mean by that?

 The average Christian really doesn’t know what it means to be a Christian. I am not saying they have it wrong. I am saying that not their view of God too small, and their view of God’s salvation is too small…incomplete. That is why God said what he did through the pen of the Apostle Paul in the Book of Ephesians. Remember, Paul is speaking to Christians here…he is speaking to us.

Read: Eph. 1:15-19a
          1 Cor. 2:9

Q: What do these texts say about God’s desire for us to know who we are in Christ?
     Where does this correct understanding of who we are come from?

Read: 1 Cor. 2:10

Q: According to this text, what do we need to do if we want to see ourselves and
    God sees us?
    Why don’t we see ourselves as God sees us?

 We don’t ask God.  We look with the eyes of sight and not the eyes of faith. We need to pray Eph. 1:17-19. We need to make it a regular part of our prayer life. And we need to intentionally choose to believe we are exactly who God says we are.

ILL: Bob George (Classic Christianity) ‘The NT is so blatant and bold in its proclamations of who we are in Christ that is boggles the mind. It’s no wonder that we find it so hard to believe. Many people find it necessary to water it down and resist the message by saying ‘What the Bible really means here is…’ But don’t water it down! The Bible really means exactly what it says!’

 So, who does God say we are in His Word? Let’s begin to look with the eyes of faith in the power of the Holy Spirit.

I am Forgiven/Redeemed/Justified/No Longer Condemned
and At Peace with God

Forgiven
Read:Ps. 32:1   Blessed is he whose sin is forgiven
 Rom. 4:7   Blessed is he whose sins are forgiven.
 1 Jn. 2:12   Your sins have been forgiven
 Eph. 1:7   We have the forgiveness of sins
Eph. 2:13-14  He forgave us all our sins
 Isa. 43:25   Our sins are forgotten by God

Q: Have you ever questioned whether God has really forgiven you of ALL your
     sins?
    Are there any sins that God won’t forgive or that takes more of an effort on our
    part to appropriate forgiveness?
 God does not place qualifiers on sin. Sin is sin to God and any sin is deserving of death. But God promises forgiveness for them all.
Q: As a Christian, how do you feel when you hear that you are redeemed and
     forgiven of your sin?

 Our sins were not just covered over, not just cancelled out, they were paid for in full by the blood of Jesus on Calvary. YOU ARE FORGIVEN! But many Christians go through life saying ‘I have been forgiven’ but have a small question mark in their voice. They are really hoping they are forgiven of ALL their sins, rather than knowing for certain that they are.

Some since they still struggle with sin, wonder if they really have been forgiven…really forgiven. YOU ARE FORGIVEN! To be forgiven is to be set free not only from the punishment for sin, but also for the guilt and power of sin.

Q: Why do Christian wallow in the guilt of their past sin even though they have
     been assured they are forgiven?

 It is just one of Satans tricks to keep us from experiencing the Joy of the Lord and the peace of knowing we are forgiven by God. We need to accept the FACT that as Christians WE ARE FORGIVEN!

Read: Eph. 2:13-14

Q: According to this text, as a Christian how forgiven are you?
Q: Does God hold any sin against you?
YOU ARE FORGIVEN!